Equine neonatal septicaemia: 24 cases

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Equine Health
• Neonatal Pathology

Background:

• Equine neonatal septicaemia poses a significant threat to foal survival.
• Bacterial infections are a primary cause of neonatal septicaemia in foals.
• Understanding causative agents and clinical signs is vital for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify pathogenic bacteria causing septicaemia and septic arthritis in foals.
• To describe clinical and haematological findings associated with these conditions.
• To determine factors influencing survival rates in affected foals.

Main Methods:

• Bacterial culture from blood and tissues of hospitalised foals.
• Necropsy examination of foals that died or were euthanased.
• Clinical and haematological parameter assessment at admission.

Main Results:

• Enterobacteriaceae (E. coli, Salmonella) and Actinobacillus equuli were predominant isolates in septicaemia.
• Clinical signs included depression, dehydration, fever/hypothermia, diarrhoea, pneumonia, and septic arthritis.
• Neutropenia and increased band neutrophils were common haematological findings.
• Survival rate for septicaemia was 70.8%; pneumonia and severe depression decreased survival.
• Salmonella serovars were the main cause of septic arthritis, with a lower survival rate.

Conclusions:

• Bacterial septicaemia and septic arthritis are serious conditions in neonatal foals.
• Clinical and haematological signs are consistent with previous studies for septicaemia.
• Septic arthritis without septicaemia had different bacterial aetiologies compared to other reports.
• Prompt diagnosis and management are critical for improving outcomes in affected foals.